JOS Chapter 137

Origins

In earlier years, when electronic technology was not well-developed, antique shops still relied on manual bookkeeping. Therefore, information registration was incomplete. Plus, having seen too many people in this line of work, some customers acted mysteriously, leaving fake names and untraceable temporary numbers. After so many years had passed, who knew whether their contact information had changed.

Motivated by the one million yuan, the boss turned the entire warehouse upside down. Finally, from a dusty large box in the corner, he found record books from many years ago.

He was fortunate that he had clearly numbered everything on the title pages, saving him much trouble in searching. However, he really couldn’t remember when that painting was purchased – he only knew its origins were ancient, which was quite a broad range.

So he went through all the records from fifteen years ago to ten years ago, looking for any clues.

Finally, in this massive database, he identified over a dozen suspicious individuals.

He called them one by one according to the records. Ninety percent of them were already unreachable, and two others were ruled out as possibilities.

The antique shop owner looked distressed. If he couldn’t earn this money, he would lose sleep over it for quite some time.

That was one million yuan, after all.

Jiang Feng said, “For those numbers that are now disconnected or have changed users, you can send them to me. I’ll have someone help investigate.”

“Good, good.” The boss inquired, “Jiang Feng, does the person in the painting look familiar? Why are you so interested? Could it be a family member?”

Jiang Feng gave an evasive response that suggested yes.

Given how much the person resembled him and was together with Zong Ce, it was very likely the missing mountain god from V City.

His remains had always been buried in the mountains, and the mountain forest had nurtured a mountain god. When he was becoming a spirit and taking human form, he might have been influenced by his own remains.

Or perhaps, he had been able to take form with the help of the Judge’s spiritual power from his remains.

Jiang Feng gave the numbers to Officer Ye, asking for his help.

After Officer Ye’s search, there were no significant findings. He only provided feedback on two phone numbers. When Jiang Feng called them, he found they didn’t match.

Finding someone was truly a troublesome matter, especially someone from decades ago with no clues whatsoever.

The little Mountain God stayed by Jiang Feng’s side, watching television and accompanying him out for meals.

Jiang Feng asked, “Can you sense if there are any other mountain gods nearby?”

“No,” the little Mountain God raised his hand proudly, “but I can find you!”

Jiang Feng patted his head. “You should practice your magic properly. Next time you see Zong Ce, learn more from her.”

The little Mountain God gestured with his hands. “I’ll go back when she returns. I can practice magic now too – look how amazing I am.”

Jiang Feng thought that if this matter was related to mountain gods, the little Mountain God might be able to help, so he didn’t urge him to return.

The little Mountain God had been living cautiously these past few days.

Initially wanting to minimize his presence as much as possible and have Jiang Feng temporarily forget his existence, he deliberately kept quiet. When hungry, he wouldn’t say he wanted to eat; when cold, he wouldn’t ask for more clothes. At night, if Jiang Feng didn’t take care of him, he would consciously crawl onto the sofa to sleep.

After two days, he finally understood Jiang Feng’s intentions. His whole demeanor changed completely, and he pulled Jiang Feng out to buy new clothes and a school bag.

Coincidentally, his school advisor had fallen ill.

During the hospitalization, Jiang Feng went to find him with his thesis for signature.

The advisor looked haggard, with weak limbs, appearing as if he had suffered from a serious illness, yet the hospital couldn’t determine the cause. Seeing Jiang Feng appear, how could he dare not sign? With a few quick strokes, he filed it away immediately. He even specifically spoke to one of the teachers on the defense panel, asking them to go easy on Jiang Feng during the defense.

Zhang Yangyang was so envious his teeth ached, but it was too late to change his name to Jiang Feng now.

Having resolved the defense matter, Jiang Feng began to feel idle again.

His important investigation had reached a deadlock, and he was preparing to use the ultimate method – having Kong Su help by using his influence to post a “lost and found” notice to see how many people had seen this painting or the person in it, then compile clues for investigation. However, the antique shop owner made a new discovery first.

“Found it! This should be it.” The boss smiled so widely his face nearly cramped. “This circle is really small – I asked a friend to inquire around, and we discovered we actually knew the same person! He was still in contact with that family two years ago and has a number in his phone that’s supposedly still active. Let me call right away.”

He dialed the record with hopeful anticipation.

When the dial tone stopped and a confused “Hello?” came from the other end, he nearly jumped up.

The boss coughed and gestured to Jiang Feng, calming down to begin the conversation.

“Hello, good day. The situation is this: about ten years ago, you sold a painting at my shop. The painting had no title and depicted a young man and a girl…” The boss provided more details for identification, “Do you remember this?”

The other end was silent for a moment before asking, “Who are you?”

The boss replied, “I’m the owner of that antique shop. Was this your painting?”

The other end asked, “Yes, it was my painting, but I didn’t sell it. I donated it back then, had them donate it to a non-profit museum. So where did you buy it from? Which charity organization was so unethical?”

The boss: “…”

No wonder he couldn’t find any record – he had mixed things up.

The boss said awkwardly, “Well, I acquired it through various channels. I don’t know its exact source either. Now someone wants to find the seller…”

“Beep… beep…”

The other end hung up directly.

The boss looked speechless.

Jiang Feng said, “Let me call.”

The boss forwarded the number to him.

When the call connected again, Jiang Feng said directly, “Hello. I know the person in the painting. He is very important to me, and I’m searching for clues about him. Could you please tell me the specific situation? I can pay adequate compensation.”

The boss muttered, “You still have money? Actually, you could ask me to help investigate. We have wide connections – what kind of person haven’t we seen?”

The person on the other end was somewhat hesitant and very cautious, probably afraid Jiang Feng was a scammer.

The boss had no choice but to use connections to have someone vouch for them, finally clarifying the situation on both sides.

The other party finally agreed to his request and provided their current address.

Jiang Feng arranged the time, booked train tickets, and rushed over with the little Mountain God.

The other party wasn’t in A City – it was nearly a four-hour train journey. When Jiang Feng arrived, the other party had specifically driven to the station to pick them up.

The owners of the painting were a married couple.

The couple was from the same place. One was called Liu Yu, the other Liu Menghong. Both were in their fifties. Their current family situation was decent – they had made their fortune through business and now lived comfortably. They stayed home resting and occasionally helped out as cashiers at their son’s shop.

“Actually, I’m not particularly short of money – we live quite well,” Liu Menghong said as soon as she entered. “It’s just that you said you were looking for someone, and we thought perhaps we could help you.”

Liu Yu gestured, “Please sit.”

Jiang Feng: “Thank you.”

The little Mountain God slid over and settled onto the sofa by himself.

People of Liu Yu’s age all loved children. Seeing the little Mountain God sitting obediently to the side, he picked up something from the table to offer. “Come, eat this. Eat more.”

The little Mountain God took it in his hands without eating, nodding and saying, “Thank you.”

Liu Menghong asked, “May I ask what relationship you have with the person in the painting?”

Jiang Feng directly took out a photo of Zong Ce to show her.

What more doubt could there be? Liu Menghong exclaimed, “Oh my, so similar! Genetics are truly miraculous. After so many generations, still exactly the same.”

Liu Yu: “It’s real, just like on TV.”

Liu Menghong: “Yes.”

As the two seemed about to digress, Jiang Feng asked, “Where did this painting come from?”

“It was always kept in my family. I didn’t even know who he was. When I was sorting through old things in the countryside, I brought it along. It had always hung on the wall of our family’s courtyard hall. Our old house, you know, was the kind where several households shared a large open space in the middle – you know that kind of structure?” Liu Menghong said. “I used to think he was a family relative, maybe my great-grandfather or someone even earlier, but my parents said no.”

Liu Yu took his glasses from the table and wiped them, saying, “You never told me about this.”

Liu Menghong: “I didn’t even know who he was – how could I tell you? Don’t interrupt me, really!”

She rolled her eyes in annoyance and continued, “My mother said that painting was done by my great-grandfather. That was in the fifties? Or sixties? Anyway, it was during the poorest times. This person came to our village and helped us with something. At that time, only my great-grandfather in the village had learned painting, so to thank him, he painted a portrait of him and kept it hanging in the room.”

Liu Menghong laughed, “I thought so – this person’s clothing and demeanor were completely different from our family’s. Our village was extremely poor back then. Even for private school education, we had to go to another town. How could we possibly wear such clothes? These weren’t work clothes at all – no one would wear these.”

Liu Yu said, “By the fifties and sixties, there were already dresses, work pants, and shirts. Fashionable people wore Western suits, okay? Very few people wore this type of clothing anymore. Going back twenty or thirty years to wartime, it would be possible.”

Jiang Feng: “So when did he go to your village? The thirties or forties?”

“I don’t know,” Liu Menghong said. “My mother wasn’t clear about it at the time. She’s no longer with us now.”

Jiang Feng: “Where is that village located? Some villagers might still have heard about it. If it was the fifties or sixties, there might still be people alive who know something.”

The couple exchanged glances, and Liu Menghong said, “I really don’t like that place. When I was young, my goal was to leave and never return.”

Liu Yu: “He’s not asking you to go – he’s just asking for the place name. Why are you rambling?”

Liu Menghong said unhappily, “Tsk, why do you keep arguing with me? Does contradicting me make you feel good? You’ve been nagging since earlier. This is my family matter – do I understand it or do you? Really, what are you showing off about?”

“How could I not know about that tiny matter of your family? We’re from the same place.” Liu Yu said, “Have you even read books? You claim to understand. I’m correcting what you’re saying. You should speak based on facts and evidence, not mislead this young comrade.”

The two began arguing, and Jiang Feng couldn’t even get a word in. He felt somewhat speechless for a moment.

How did this escalate into an argument?

Just then, the door lock clicked, and a young man entered.

Jiang Feng stood up to greet him.

The other party entered, took off his coat, hung it on a chair back, then respectfully said, “Mom and Dad, I’m home. I’ll make dinner for you now.”

Liu Menghong responded flatly, “Oh.”

Liu Yu also sat without moving.

This lifestyle was quite strange.

Jiang Feng thought their family relationships were strained.

Seeing Jiang Feng glance toward the kitchen, Liu Yu proudly boasted, “My son – I had him when I was almost thirty. He’s especially obedient and very sensible. Highly educated too. What do you young people say? Perfect!”